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Raising Your Thermostat to Avoid Flu

Week of February 25 - Mom was right! According to researchers—you can catch a cold from the cold. Dr. David Winter explains in tonight’s HealthSource report.

DR. WINTER
Bundle up! Staying warm may help you stay healthy this cold and flu season.

DR. CHARLES POWELL
Internist
Baylor Medical Center at Irving
“Which is kind of interesting to me because in my formal training it’s always been—you don’t get the cold from being cold.”

DR. WINTER
But according to a new study—there may just be some truth to the old wives tale.

DR. CHARLES POWELL
“The lower temperatures and the lower humidity did seem to propagate the virus and allow for easier transmission.”

DR. WINTER
When it comes to your thermostat the magic number appears to be 68.

DR. CHARLES POWELL
“This article actually talked about the fact that if you keep your temperature above 68-degrees and your humidity above 50% you’re actually less likely to spread the virus.”

DR. WINTER
Researchers aren’t exactly sure why sickness is less likely to spread in warmer air…

DR. CHARLES POWELL
“It went into some theories and some concepts about what might allow that—for example it went back to the whole theory that when these viruses are at warmer temperatures they have trouble replicating.”

DR. WINTER
But they do know for sure there’s a benefit to heating up.

DR. CHARLES POWELL
“With energy costs as I’m sure they’re going to be for a lot of people this winter—obviously there are concerns about keeping the house warm and the costs—but this article does state that keeping the temperature above 68-degrees did seem to help a good bit with the transmission of the viruses.”

DR. WINTER
For Baylor Health Care System, I’m Dr. David Winter.

ANCHOR TAG
Experts also say this study proves using a humidifier during cold and flu season may also help you stay healthy.